Could the redundant horror-movie prequel "Exorcist: The Beginning" have been
cursed by dark forces? Unlikely, although that would make sense in light of
the satanic themes the film shares with its chilling progenitor "The
Exorcist" and the substandard sequels "Exorcist II: The Heretic" and "The
Exorcist III." Maybe it made business sense to produce a name-brand movie
about the earliest trials of exorcist Father Merrin. But "The Beginning,"
set in Africa after World War II, just rehashes more effective frights that
were intelligently, legitimately earned by "The Exorcist." Speaking of
ludicrous history, "The Beginning" is actually two movies. Director Paul
Schrader's original was, for vague reasons, blocked from theatrical release
by the studio, making way for hack Renny Harlin's take to be dumped in
theaters. Harlin's version is pretty God-awful, yet not as hilariously bad
as noble, miscast Richard Burton bellowing at the demon Pazuzu in "The
Heretic." Meticulous actor Stellan Skarsgård ("Insomnia"), as the younger
Merrin, and ex-Bond girl Izabella Scorupco ("Goldeneye"), as a dedicated
doctor tending to a blighted African village, will be hard-pressed to escape
from "The Beginning" with careers unsullied. As for "head-spinning" special
effects, the computer animation here is strictly 'toon-town. Such a
shortfall in an era of high-tech advances is the most disturbing thing about
"The Beginning."